Antioksidativni učinci N-acetilcisteina, lipoične kiseline, taurina i kurkumina u mišićnom tkivu šarana (Cyprinus carpio L.) tretiranih kadmijem

We investigated the muscle tissue of a teleost Cyprinus carpio L. to find out whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), alpha-lipoic acid (LA), taurine (TAU), and curcumin (CUR) were able to counteract oxidative stress induced by acute exposure to cadmium (Cd). The muscle tissue was dissected 96 h after a single intraperitoneal injection of Cd (5 mg kg-1) and of antioxidant substances (50 mg kg-1). Using spectrophotometry, we determined the glutathione redox status, lipid peroxidation levels and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione disulphide reductase (GR). Accumulation of Cd in the muscle was analysed using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). All substances lowered Cd levels in the following order of effi ciency; LA=NAC>TAU=CUR. Cadmium increased SOD activity, but CAT activity declined, regardless of antioxidant treatment. Treatment with CUR induced GPx activity. Treatment with TAU lowered Cd due to higher total glutathione (tGSH). The most effective substances on lipid peroxidation were LA and NAC due to a greater Cd-lowering potential. It seems that the protective role of TAU, LA, and NAC is not necessarily associated with antioxidant enzymes, but rather with their own activity.Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi mogu li N-acetilcistein (NAC), α-lipoična kiselina (LA), taurin (TAU) i kurkumin (CUR) svojim antioksidativnim djelovanjem smanjiti razinu oksidativnog stresa u mišićnom tkivu šarana (Cyprinus carpio L.) akutno otrovanih kadmijem. Uzorci mišićnog tkiva skupljeni su 96 h nakon što su ribama intraperitonealno injicirani kadmij (5 mg kg-1) i ispitivani antioksidansi (50 mg kg-1). Primjenom spektrofotometrijskih metoda izmjereni su redoks status glutationa, razine lipidne peroksidacije te aktivnosti enzima superoksid dismutaze (SOD), katalaze (CAT), glutation peroksidaze (GPx) i glutation disulfi d reduktaze (GR). Maseni udio kadmija u mišićnom tkivu izmjeren je s pomoću metode induktivno spregnute plazme – optičke emisijske spektrometrije (ICP-OES). Ispitivani spojevi smanjili su nakupljanje kadmija u tkivu šarana sljedećim redoslijedom: LA=NAC>TAU=CUR. Tretman šarana kadmijem izazvao je porast aktivnosti SOD, ali se aktivnost CAT smanjila bez obzira na primjenu antioksidativnih spojeva. Dodatak CUR pojačao je aktivnost GPx. Dodatak TAU povećao je razinu ukupnoga glutationa te smanjio nakupljanje kadmija. Svi spojevi osim CUR smanjili su razinu lipidne peroksidacije te pretpostavljamo da su LA i NAC pridonijeli detoksifi kaciji kadmija. Rezultati istraživanja upućuju na to da testirani spojevi, osim CUR, imaju antioksidativni učina

Maternal blood cadmium, lead and arsenic levels, nutrient combinations, and offspring birthweight

Abstract Background Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with lower birthweight. Although some essential metals may mitigate exposure, data are inconsistent. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between toxic metals, nutrient combinations and birthweight among 275 mother-child pairs. Methods Non-essential metals, Cd, Pb, As, and essential metals, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) were measured in maternal whole blood obtained during the first trimester using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Folate concentrations were measured by microbial assay. Birthweight was obtained from medical records. We used quantile regression to evaluate the association between toxic metals and nutrients due to their underlying wedge-shaped relationship. Ordinary linear regression was used to evaluate associations between birth weight and toxic metals. Results After multivariate adjustment, the negative association between Pb or Cd and a combination of Fe, Se, Ca and folate was robust, persistent and dose-dependent (p < 0.05). However, a combination of Zn, Cu, Mn and Mg was positively associated with Pb and Cd levels. While prenatal blood Cd and Pb were also associated with lower birthweight. Fe, Se, Ca and folate did not modify these associations. Conclusion Small sample size and cross-sectional design notwithstanding, the robust and persistent negative associations between some, but not all, nutrient combinations with these ubiquitous environmental contaminants suggest that only some recommended nutrient combinations may mitigate toxic metal exposure in chronically exposed populations. Larger longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings

Study of Chosen Cluster's Initiatives in the Podlaskie Province

Creating cluster's initiatives, according to the contemporary local and international experiences, is one of the key stimulants of the economical advancement on the both regional and national level. The importance of this formation for creating innovative economy based on knowledge and their role in implementing the economical development policy is underlined by the growing number of clusters in Poland. The paper presents situation of the chosen business cluster in the Podlaskie Province and regional circumstances of their formulation. It is also focused on business expectation and determinants of clusters development. This paper has been prepared in the scope of the project "Role and impact of process approach on management and functioning of business cluster initiatives" granted by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Innovation of companies from Podlaskie : selected aspects

Knowledge and innovation are key stimulants of economic development. These aspects are particularly important for regions with low saturation of industry. Analysis of the situation in the north-eastern Polish provinces revealed that they are “moderate innovators”. The paper presents a diagnosis of enterprises innovation from key-sectors in podlaskie province, such as food and metal industry (including machinery and metal equipment). Analysis is focused on expenditures on research and development (R & D), share of companies introducing new products and services, sales of new products and services as key stimulants of innovation. The actions that should be taken to change the present situation are also identified and submitted

CMMI-DEV process roadmap in business improvement

W artykule przedstawiono koncepcję dojrzałości procesowej oraz ideę doskonalenia organizacji z wykorzystaniem modelu CMMI. Zasadniczym celem poznawczym jest prezentacja podejścia celowościowego do identyfikacji i kategoryzacji obszarów procesowych jako metody wspierającej doskonalenie organizacji. W artykule omówiono rolę i struktury procesowe mapy drogowej osadzonej w strukturze modelu CMMI for Development (CMMI-DEV). Przedstawiono również zalecenia odnośnie wyboru typu mapy w procesie doskonalenia działań w organizacji, a także wskazano istotne determinanty i bariery wdrażania modeli dojrzałości procesowej.The paper presents the concept of process maturity and the idea of organizations’ improvement with CMMI model. The main cognitive goal of this article is to present a goal-driven approach to the identification and categorization of relevant process areas as methodology supporting improvement projects. Article focuses on discussing the role and structure of the process roadmap embedded in the structure of CMMI for Development model (CMMI-DEV). Paper presents recommendations for a roadmap selection, as well as significant determinants and barriers to the implementation of process maturity models

Purposes of enterprises improvement in the context of process maturity

Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja stymulatorów procesowego rozwoju przedsiębiorstw. W artykule przedstawiono wyniki diagnozy dojrzałości procesowej w kontekście celów projektów przedsiębiorstw. Założono, że kierunek procesowego rozwoju przedsiębiorstwa i jego poziom dojrzałości determinują cele zmian. Do realizacji zadania wykorzystano technikę wywiadu i wielowymiarową analizę korespondencji. Efektem prac jest identyfikacja celów rozwojowych na określonych etapach dojrzałości procesowej przedsiębiorstwa.The purpose of this paper is to identify the triggers of development process-oriented enterprises. The article presents the results of the process maturity diagnosis in terms of objectives of enterprises development. It was assumed that the scope of the changes determines the direction of the enterprise development and its level of maturity. To accomplish research tasks questionnaire-based technique and multidimensional correspondence analysis were used. The result of the research is identification of development goals pursued by the company at certain maturity levels

The diagnosis of information potential of selected business process modelling notations

The paper presents the findings of the ease of understanding tests for selected business process modelling notations as an element of diagnosing the notations information potential. The easiest-to-understand notation is identified, as well as the attributes determining the choice of this notation as the easiest to understand. Three notations used in business process modelling have been subjected to diagnosis: EPC, BPMS and BPMN. Based on the results of these analyses, recommendations have been formulated for organisations where process modelling requires the involvement of all employees and where process awareness needs to be developed. Using an intuitive notation may contribute to improved communication between users representing different professional profiles and translate into a higher effectiveness of organisational changes